Effects of Greek Orthodox Christian Church Fasting on Serum Lipids and Obesity

Overview

Journal BMC Public Health

Publisher Biomed Central

Specialty Public Health

Date 2003 May 20

PMID 12753698

Citations 33

Authors

Katerina O Sarri

Nikolaos E Tzanakis

Manolis K Linardakis

George D Mamalakis

Anthony G Kafatos

Affiliations

Soon will be listed here.

Abstract

Background: No study to date has focused on the impact of Greek Orthodox Christian fasting on serum lipoproteins and obesity yet.

Methods: 120 Greek adults were followed longitudinally for one year. Sixty fasted regularly in all fasting periods (fasters) and 60 did not fast at all (controls). The three major fasting periods under study were: Christmas (40 days), Lent (48 days) and Assumption (August, 15 days). A total of 6 measurements were made during one year including pre- and end-fasting blood collection, serum lipoprotein analyses and anthropometric measurements.

Results: Statistically significant end-fasting total and LDL cholesterol differences were found in fasters. Fasters compared to controls presented 12.5% lower end-total cholesterol (p < 0.001), 15.9% lower end-LDL cholesterol (p < 0.001) and 1.5% lower end-BMI (p < 0.001). The end- LDL/HDL ratio was lower in fasters (6.5%, p < 0.05) while the change in end- HDL cholesterol in fasters (4.6% decline) was not significant. Similar results were found when the pre- and end-fasting values of fasters were compared. No change was found in control subjects.

Conclusions: Adherence to Greek Orthodox fasting periods contributes to a reduction in the blood lipid profile including a non-significant reduction in HDL cholesterol and possible impact on obesity.

Citing Articles

Effects of Religious Fasting on Markers of Oxidative Status in Vitamin D-Deficient and Overweight Orthodox Nuns versus Implementation of Time-Restricted Eating in Lay Women from Central and Northern Greece.

Karras S, Michalakis K, Tekos F, Skaperda Z, Vardakas P, Ziakas P Nutrients. 2024; 16(19).

PMID: 39408266 PMC: 11478604. DOI: 10.3390/nu16193300.

Association of Christian Orthodox Fasting with Sociodemographic, Anthropometric and Lifestyle Factors and Serum Biochemical Indices: A Cross-Sectional Study on Patients with Metabolic Diseases.

Rodopaios N, Poulios E, Papadopoulou S, Alexatou O, Koulouri A, Kafatos A Metabolites. 2024; 14(1).

PMID: 38276302 PMC: 10821505. DOI: 10.3390/metabo14010067.

The effects of time-restricted eating for patients with nonalcoholic fatty liver disease: a systematic review.

Lin X, Wang S, Huang J Front Nutr. 2024; 10:1307736.

PMID: 38239843 PMC: 10794638. DOI: 10.3389/fnut.2023.1307736.

A Mediterranean Eating Pattern Combining Energy and Time-Restricted Eating Improves Vaspin and Omentin Concentrations Compared to Intermittent Fasting in Overweight Individuals.

Karras S, Koufakis T, Popovic D, Adamidou L, Karalazou P, Thisiadou K Nutrients. 2023; 15(24).

PMID: 38140318 PMC: 10745393. DOI: 10.3390/nu15245058.

Association between Dietary Patterns and Metabolic Syndrome Risk Factors: A Cross-Sectional Study of Christian Orthodox Church Fasters and Non-Fasters in Greece.

Kokkinopoulou A, Katsiki N, Pagkalos I, Rodopaios N, Koulouri A, Vasara E Foods. 2023; 12(18).

PMID: 37761196 PMC: 10527694. DOI: 10.3390/foods12183488.

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